We have all heard of the older woman rolling out of bed and breaking her hip, which is often the beginning of a series of health challenges and even death. According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation, this abnormal fragility of bone, called osteoporosis, is often undetected until a fracture occurs. Bone density scans can provide information about the health of your bones early enough that medication can stop, and sometimes reverse, the accelerated loss of bone density characterizing osteoporosis.
Bone Mineral Density
Bone mineral density, or BMD, is the amount of calcium and other minerals packed into a section of bone. Greater BMD means stronger bones and greater resistance to fracture. Typically, BMD increases throughout childhood reaching its peak in young adulthood, for women around ages 25 to 30. With aging there may be a gradual decline in BMD but a significant loss is a sign that something is wrong.
Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is an abnormal loss of BMD that places individuals at a high risk of fracture. Although any bone may fracture, the most significant fractures are those to the hip or spine due to the often-catastrophic consequences to an individual's mobility and overall health. Additionally, fractures of the spine, which may contribute to deformities in the back and a shortening of height, are also quite painful and difficult to treat.
Bone Density Scans
According to the Surgeon General's Report, to assess BMD, a variety of scanning devices are used, most using a variation of low-dose X-ray technology. Although some scanners used in mobile health vans or in doctor's offices test BMD in a wrist or ankle, these peripheral measures are not as accurate as central BMD scanners that measure BMD of the hip and spine. A DXA scan is the most common central BMD scanner. Typically, in a DXA scan, you lie on a table without having to undress. The procedure takes less than 30 minutes.
Bone Density Results
According to the National Institute on Aging, the results are reported in terms of T-scores, a measure of how much your BMD deviates from that of an average adult at her peak bone density. The following shows the normal, osteopenic and osteoporosis T-score ranges established by the World Health Organization: Normal BMD: A T-score between 0 and +/-1 indicates you are in the normal range; Low BMD: A T-score is between -1 and -2.5 shows your BMD is below normal and an increased risk for osteoporosis; Very Low BMD: A T-score greater than -2.5 shows you have osteoporosis.
Osteopenia
A T-score indicating low BMD, or osteopenia, may be due to one of several variables including heredity, not building up high BMD during one's youth, drug side effects or accelerated bone loss that may develop into osteoporosis. Not everyone will develop osteoporosis but being osteopenic increases your risk of fracture and a more complete assessment is warranted to determine the cause.
Osteoporosis
Anyone with a T-score indicating osteoporosis should consult a physician to further assess the risk of fracture and determine a course of treatment.
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